TV campaigner Mary Whitehouse dies

Broadcasting standards campaigner Mary Whitehouse died today aged 91. She died at the Abberton Manor Nursing Home in Colchester, Essex, after a long illness.

A spokesman at the home said: "She passed away peacefully earlier today. She had become increasingly frail in recent times."

Mrs Whitehouse became the scourge of broadcasters after starting her Clean Up TV Campaign in 1964.

It became the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association the following year and she acted as its president before stepping down in 1994.

Mrs Whitehouse, who had been a resident at the nursing home since December 1999, leaves three sons.

The NVLA has since changed its to Mediawatch and the organisation's director John Beyer spoke glowingly of her and her work today.

"Mary was profoundly compassionate and caring in her concern about television, film and the media with the influence it has on our society, especially children and the rising generations.

"Above all she was concerned that children and young people were allowed to mature and grow up at their own rate rather than have it imposed from outside.

"She was a determined lady. She loved God and she saw her work in the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association as an expression of her Christian duty. The important thing is that the campaign that she started is ongoing.

"I have known Mary for 25 years and it has really been a great privilege to work alongside her. History will record that she did perform an absolutely vital role in drawing attention to the media and we have very fond memories or Mary and of the campaigning years."

A spokesman for the BBC paid tribute to Mrs Whitehouse, saying her work had enlivened countless programmes.

Shadow culture secretary Tim Yeo added: "I would like to pay tribute to Mary Whitehouse, who was an energetic and respected campaigner who remained wholly committed to her views throughout her life."

Lord Grade, the ex-chief executive of Channel 4 and former controller of BBC1, described her as "courageous" but ineffectual.

Mrs Whitehouse had wanted television to act as a form of "propaganda" for an unrealistic view of the world, according to Lord Grade.